 Becoming a Christian...
No one is born a Christian. Becoming a Christian commences with a spiritual conversion. This is called "regeneration" which Jesus described as being "born again". This spiritual transformation is transacted through prayer instigated by the one coming to Christ but in reality prompted by God in the heart of the 'unregenerate'. When this prompting takes place, there is an awareness that there is something wrong - not just with the world, but with our own hearts. There comes a growing realisation that no matter how hard we try to 'fix' ourselves, we are unable to change our sinful, selfish, self-justifying behaviour. We eventually see that we need a Saviour. Christianity is the only religious view that has a "Saviour" - a Rescuer. We need to be rescued from the plight and peril of our sin. A divinely planted cry arises in our hearts whereby we cry out to God for salvation. God then causes us to 'see' that our sin deserves eternal justice and that the God of Justice is also the God of Grace who not only must punish sin but who has also sent His own Son as our substitutionary payment for our sin. Upon realising this, the now repentant sinner trusts Christ as their Saviour - the One who acted as their substitute and bore the penalty for their sin.
The Bible promises that "all those who call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." It then indicates that the fruit of such salvation will become increasingly obvious. Such a person has, and continues to, put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. The fruit of this faith in Christ is a growing devotion to Christ.
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The Bible reveals to us that without Christ, we are "dead in sins" (Ephesians 2:1-4). But becoming a Christian means that we have been "made alive" (Ephesians 2:5). Therefore, Jesus doesn't just make 'bad' people 'good', He makes 'dead' people 'live'!
This is entirely a spiritual experience which has implications for our everyday lives. After becoming a Christian we think differently, act differently and feel differently towards others. This result is called "conversion". Any unconverted soul cannot reasonably be expected to claim that they are a Christian!
For you to be reading this indicates that something is stirring in your soul. Perhaps you recognise your need for Christ? The Bible says that if you call upon the Lord for salvation you will be saved. I invite you to do this.
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